Obamas arrive in South Africa

June 28 - U.S. President Barack Obama and his family arrived in South Africa, his second stop of a three-nation Africa tour. Rough Cut (no reporter narration)

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ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday (June 28), his second stop in his first extended tour of Africa since taking office in 2009.
Obama paid tribute to anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela as he flew to South Africa on Friday but played down expectations of a meeting with the ailing black leader during an Africa tour promoting democracy and food security.
White House officials hope Obama's three-nation tour of Africa will compensate for what some view as years of neglect by America's first black president.
The health of Mandela, the 94-year-old former South African president clinging to life in a Pretoria hospital, dominated Obama's day even before he arrived in Johannesburg.
Mandela's ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, said his condition had improved in the past few days.
Obama sees Mandela, also known as Madiba, as a hero. Whether they are able to meet or not, officials said his trip would serve largely as a tribute to the anti-apartheid leader.
Like Mandela, Obama has received the Nobel Peace Prize and both men were the first black presidents of their nations.
White House officials said Obama would hold a "town hall" on Saturday (June 29) with youth leaders in Soweto, the Johannesburg township known for 1976 student protests against apartheid.
He will discuss a new exchange program for African students with U.S. colleges and universities. The event will include youth in Uganda, Nigeria and Kenya participating through video conference, and will be televised in those countries, White House officials said.
Obama's only previous visit to the African continent as president was a one-day stopover in Ghana at the beginning of his first term.

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